Friday, November 28, 2008

Toronto Real Estate, Townhomes

By Dane Masters

This is a true story of a family that relocated from Toronto to winnipeg, some three years ago. Real estate was booming in Toronto. So people opting to sell their houses ensured a tidy sum for themselves! When our family decided to sell our town home, prices were sky high; we ended up with a reasonably good profit margin. More than that actually, since we were able to shell down hard cash for a wonderful four-bedroomed house in Winnipeg. The new house is large and exhibits character, plus demands no mortgage. Though parting from friends and family was difficult, the change was well worth it!

Our big house is absolutely sprawling and the property boasts a double lot. If our home was located anywhere within the Toronto real estate market, there's no way it would sell for less than $300,000. Fully renovated and depending on the exact location, the selling price could even be close to $500,000. So, how did we manage to land this real estate deal and claim our mortgage-free status? The real estate market in Winnipeg is one of the city's best kept secrets. We've experienced a 20% increase in our market in the past three years. However, when we bought our home, we paid a measly $65,000 for a three story home in good condition. There are some cosmetic things that needed (and still need) to be done. My husband plans to install brand new hardwood flooring throughout the main living area. But these are minor concerns when considering what a home of this size and character would go for in the Toronto real estate market.

Toronto prices have shot up so much that people who want to buy a house have to shell out $250,000! Others have to forget about settling in a nice neighborhood or a place with good amenities, the condition of the place, etc. They can only live in town homes or condominiums. The house could be in any condition--the price would not change. The real estate listings of the city of Toronto therefore prove to be quite mind-boggling for someone who is not prepared for it!

Obviously we're thrilled that we made our move when we did. We no longer battle through gridlock to and from work. Road rage is virtually non-existent in our city. There are tons of actual houses for sale well below $100,000 in a variety of neighborhoods to choose from. Manitoba Hydro offers several incentives for homeowners, so even if you buy a fixer-upper, you have options for installing brand new windows and high efficiency furnaces, without having to worry about high interest rates on your loan payments. And yes, we even have townhomes and condominiums for sale, but the maintenance fees are a fraction of what is demanded in Toronto's real estate market.

Thus, all types of people can adjust to Winnipeg, for the real estate prices are within affordable range unlike the city of Toronto.

This place is a boon for our children who are enjoying the big and open spaces. The family has learned to lead life at a slower pace, giving enough time to each other. Family and friends are far away, but not so far that we cannot keep in touch. This place came as a blessing three years ago, and we pat ourselves on our backs for making the right decision at the right time!

About the Author:

No comments: